Revelation

Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that read, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

The Greek word for Revelation is apokalupsis which means to unveil or uncover. It implies the lifting up of a curtain so that all can see alike what is uncovered. When used of writing, it means to reveal or make clear (Eph. 3:3; Gal. 1:12); when used of a person, it denotes visible presence (Rev. 1:1; 2Thess. 1:7; 1Pet. 1:7, 13). Here it refers to both the book and the person of Christ.

The book is admittedly both literal and figurative. It is therefore to be taken as literal wherever possible. In other words, when a statement is made, it should be taken to mean just what is written unless such interpretation should be highly improbable and against all the dictates of rhetoric and spiritually enlightened reason, or contrary to Scriptures elsewhere on the same subject. In view of this test, if the passage does not admit a literal interpretation, then, of course, we must look elsewhere for an explanation. This method of interpretation is the only sound one, as is clear from the fact that the book is a revelation in itself. To treat it as a mystery or to spiritualize it is to deny what it professes to be. Every scene and every truth is clearly explained in the book itself. The reader should first find out what it says concerning its own truths and revelations before going to other parts of the Bible for additional light upon the subject in question. Pre-Revelation prophecy will throw much light upon many passages in Revelation and help in a more detailed study of almost every truth in the book. This Revelation is in perfect harmony with all preceding prophecies and is the logical and harmonious completion of them.

‘Of Jesus Christ’ – not a revelation altogether concerning Christ, but one from Him. Christ is not the main subject of the book, the second coming of Christ is the chief theme of Revelation (1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21). ‘Gave unto him’ God the Father gave this Revelation to Christ, emphasizing His limitations during His incarnation (Isa. 50:4; Matt. 28:18; Mark 13:32; Luke 1:40, 52). ‘To show’ – the purpose was to show, not hide from His servants, events from John’s day into all eternity (Rev. 21-22).

‘Things’ – these “things (i.e. events) which must shortly come to pass” – the idea is that this series of events must begin quickly – is the subject matter of the book:

1. Events of the whole church age (Rev. 1-3) [correct translation of churches will be congregations which is not based on the business-like churches of today with their own doctrines that contradict God’s Word and who preaches fables (2 Tim. 4:3-4)].

2. Events in heaven (Rev. 4-5).

3. Events of the future tribulation of Daniel’s 70th week (Rev. 6-19).

4. Events of the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-15).

5. Events of the eternal new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21-22).

‘Signified’ is the Greek word semaino meaning to show or point out; announce; to make a note of. That it does not mean that all things are in symbols is clear from its use elsewhere (Rev. 1:1; John 12:33; 18:32; 21:19; Acts 11:28; 25:27). It simply means to make a clear record.

‘Unto his servant John’ – the book was transmitted from God the Father to Jesus Christ, to the angel, to John, to the churches, to us (Rev. 1:1, 11).

‘Blessed is he that read, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein’ Three classes blessed here: Those who read the Revelation; those who hear it [listen by heeding to it]; and those who keep [believe and prepare accordingly] the things written therein.

There are 7 rules regarding prophecy: Understand it as history written beforehand; give the same meaning to words of prophecy as you do the words of history; do not seek for hidden meanings; do not think prophecy must be fulfilled before it can be understood; do not interpret God’s own interpretation of anything in prophecy; take all prophecy literally unless it is clear that it cannot have a literal meaning and then get the literal truth conveyed by the figurative language. Let the Bible be its own interpreter.